The United States and Israel have united in criticising the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s decision to visit Iran for the Non-Aligned Movement summit, amidst efforts to isolate the country.

The Secretary-General will be joining officials from 120 countries, despite notable objections, including a direct appeal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was quoted as telling Ban,

“Your visit will grant legitimacy to a regime that is the greatest threat to world peace and security.”

Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the US National Security Council, also commented,

“We think that Iran is going to try to use the event for propaganda purposes and to try to cover up the extreme isolation Iran is feeling politically and economically.”

“That said, if people choose to participate, we believe they should take the opportunity of any meetings that they have with Iran’s leaders to press them to comply with their international obligations without further delay.”

David Harris, from the American Jewish Committee also slammed the decision, saying,

“Tehran is not the place for the U.N. secretary general to visit, not at this time, not to meet with this Iranian regime.”

“We are stunned that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would honor a regime that consistently ignores both him and the world body he heads in ways that threaten regional and global security.”

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has confirmed he will be attending the conference, marking the first visit by an Egyptian head of state to Iran, since the two countries cut off diplomatic relations over 30 years ago.

Iran is expected to call for an easing of economic sanctions at the summit, with Ali Akbar Salehi, Iranian foreign minister, saying on Sunday that Iran was “neither seeking confrontation nor demanded anything more than its legitimate rights” and was only carrying out “peaceful” nuclear activities.